it was time for me to use up some Executive Club miles - therefore I opted for a TXL-LHR-TXL trip on April 9th to check out the new Terminal 5 (fortunately, I didn't have to check any baggage... ). Besides, since it was a miserable day in Berlin, I even got to catch some sun in London (go to LON for some sun, isn't that strange?)

Anyway, in order to avoid TXLs tremendous parking fees, I parked on a well known spot half a mile away and walked my way to the terminal.

The TXL-terminal-buildung landside on this cold and miserable April morning

always a pleasant sight: a DL B767-300ER gets prepared for its 11:25 departure as DL 79 to New York JFK

The PAN-AM-memorial badge inside the terminal, thanking it for 40 years of reliable services during Berlins division

We pushed back from Gate A15 at around 11:00 - and took off TXLs runway 08R perfectly ontime at 11:05 AM.

A rather light load this morning - making boarding and deplaning a smooth procedure

We reached the London area way ahead of schedule, at around 11:30 local time - forcing us to a holding pattern before finally turning in for the approach to LHRs runway 27L. Here a nice view of the river Thames and the millenium dome.

Londons impressive city centre

Westminster Abbey with Big Ben

Great to see a Concorde once again - even though she is just parked...

We touched down on runway 27L at around 11:50 and taxied straight to the new Terminal 5, past Terminal 3.

My first sight of a SIA A380.

The satellite terminal 5B - used for BAs long-haul flights

The main building of T5

The arrivals corridor on the second floor

Nice view onto the apron

These are some of the longest escalators I have ever seen - they connect the gate area on the thid floor with the tunnel to the satellite below the surface

The spacious bagagge hall - and a new sight for LHR: it's not (yet?) at all crowded!

The public arrivals hall

The terminal itself is directly connected with the parking garage - the driveways are beyond the parking garage. The garden in the middle is used by the smokers - unfortunately, the whole building doesn't offer ANY smoking facilities, not even past security...

Outside the terminal, one gets a great view of the departing aircraft using runway 27 R

View onto the northern apron and runway - a new sight to LHR once again - a DL 767 taking off

The check-in and security area is located on the 4th floor

The security, lounge and shopping area on the 4th floor

a look onto the gate area on the 3rd floor with the escalators and elevators down to the tunnel to the B-satellite and the yet to be built C-satellite

The interior of the B-satellite

view onto the apron and across to the main terminal

for sure, the longest jet-bridge I've ever seen

the eastern side of the satellite with the site where satellite C will be built in the near future in the background

After visiting the B-satellite, I wanted to return to the main terminal. That proved to be an interesting task, as the train bringing passengers to the B-satellite was already operating, however, the pedestrian tunnel has yet to be finished. In order to go back, I had to inquire with a customer representative, who took me and another lady, that had accidentally walked over to the satellite, with a small vehicle back to the main terminal through the unfinished ped-tunnel...

the not-finished pedestrian tunnel between the main terminal and the B-satellite - note the purple lighting

Afterwards, it was time for me to proceed to gate A7 for my return flight to TXL. Another on-time departure and early arrival. I didn't take any more pictures though, since it was hard to spot the aircraft from the boading gate and while inflight, it was already getting dark...

T5 is fantastic and our so lucky to have visited it. I visited as part of a trial and also a tour with work.

I cant wait to fly through it though. A great report with some fantastic pics. I love the views from the ends of the departure areas. I believe departure area A has the best views overall, a fantastic view of take-offs on 27R/landings 9L

thanks for your comments. Yeah, it was a real pleasure to discover T5 and it's spacious settings. If they sort out their bugs, changing between BA flights in LHR will be a MUCH nicer experience in the future.

By the way: I have to correct a typo (I didn't see it until the first comment was posted and I couldn't edit the original post):

the picture of London obviously shows the house of parliament and Big Ben (I don't know, why I wrote Westminster Abbey...)!

Ah - thanks for the info. I was sure that these would qualify for such a title...

Quote:I believe departure area A has the best views overall, a fantastic view of take-offs on 27R/landings 9L

Yes - it definitely does! And if you have time to spare and the sun is shining, it pays off to go outside (where the smokers meet... ) and get direct view onto runway 9L/27R - right next to the treshold of runway 9L!

Quoting Baexecutive (Reply 3):Thats because its illegal to smoke in a public building in the UK

I see the problem, however, not allowing smokers to smoke ANYWHERE in between flights in the sterile area (in my opinion, there is no need for such facilities in the public areas) - many pax will be transferring - might not solve the problem, but can cause additional problems (e.g. people smoking in the lav on board). I wouldn't ever expect to smoke on a flight - however, the more desperate I am to get a few drags on the ground after a long-haul flight. With smoking rooms as offered elsewhere, I cannot see any harm for nonsmokers... Too bad, that generally good regulation (=general smoking ban to protect the majority of people) doesn't allow any exceptions for the still existing and not too small group of smokers...

Quoting EMA747 (Reply 5):She looks tiny against that 777 doesn't she? Small but perfectly formed I say.

She sure looks small in comparison - but she'll always be an exceptional beauty. How great would it be, if she would keep on flying...

Quoting PA101 (Reply 6):I see the problem, however, not allowing smokers to smoke ANYWHERE in between flights in the sterile area (in my opinion, there is no need for such facilities in the public areas) - many pax will be transferring - might not solve the problem, but can cause additional problems (e.g. people smoking in the lav on board). I wouldn't ever expect to smoke on a flight - however, the more desperate I am to get a few drags on the ground after a long-haul flight. With smoking rooms as offered elsewhere, I cannot see any harm for nonsmokers... Too bad, that generally good regulation (=general smoking ban to protect the majority of people) doesn't allow any exceptions for the still existing and not too small group of smokers...

Great pictures of Terminal 5! Much greater coverage than I managed on my trip to Amsterdam on 31st March It sure is a great Terminal and I'm really looking forward to flying through Terminal 5 again in July, but this time with lounge access.

They say you learn something new every day... well, I did! I didn't know they were to have a pedestrian tunnel from the B Pier to the A building. I also see you found the spot where wonderful views can be obtained of 27R departures I visited the area for 20 minutes or so after returning from Amsterdam.

Quoting B747forever (Reply 11):Just a question. Will I be able to make it from T5 (main terminal) to T5b in just under a 1hr. Will land at LHR from ARN and the flight to LAX takes off after a hour. Will I make it??

Yeah - definitely!

Getting from the main terminal (A-gates) to the satellite (B-gates) is easy, as the train connecting the two buildings is already operating. Just getting from the gate area of the satellite on the 3rd floor (arriving pax enter the building on a lower floor - presumingly with connections to the train in the opposite direction) back to the main building is a challenge, as long as the ped-tunnel has not been opened.

You will probably arrive at the A-gate area in the main building (however, some European flights might operate from the satellite as well) - on the 2nd floor - have to pass transfers-security, then enter the gate area on the 3rd floor (maybe, they even have a direct escalator down past security - I couldn't find out) and take the escalator or elavator down to the connecting train.

Well, it looks finished, has just not been cleaned yet (dust all over the place) and cannot be accessed without assistance as of right now.

Quoting DanTaylor2006 (Reply 8):I didn't know they were to have a pedestrian tunnel from the B Pier to the A building.

Hehe... I didn't know either until I found out... Just strange that it's not quite finished and opened yet (the signs etc. are there, but they put a customer service guy there that then guides you through a still dusty hall and the tunnel).
However, they also put up signs in the main building saying "please don't proceed to the B-gates unless your gate number has been announced since returning takes about 40 minutes"

Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 9):T5 is nice, however not finished and I'm not sure it's actually big enough, I think it's going to get pretty crowded in the summer months.

Yeah, it turned out really beautiful! As of now, it wasn't too crowded, since BA still operates many flights out of T4. After moving their entire operation, it will definitely be more crowded, however, I still think it's a major improvement in comparison to their operations out of T1 and T4 (e.g. being in just ONE terminal). But for sure, it will sure lose much of its charme, once it gets too busy and crowded...

a nice story and a good daytrip target nowadays, for sure.
IMO the A.netters gone very well informed all around LHRT5.
Great pics as well.
No T5 booking for me till now, but we will see what´s going on there.

Great report!
Just thought I would add some details of my experience at T5. I was there yesterday for a flight to EDI. the terminal itself was generally good especially the large red sofa type things in the departure lounge! They were so comfy! one thing that I did notice was how dirty a lot of the terminal was! Not a very good impression! Also, after boarding, we sat at the gate for over an hour supposedly due to poor weather. looked out the window, sunny skies! Finally, to make a bad day worse, I arrived without any luggage!
Really hope it improves quickly!